annotate docs/SMC15/smc2015template.tex @ 1996:d4011aedeec7

Paper: Introduction + Interface
author Brecht De Man <b.deman@qmul.ac.uk>
date Mon, 27 Apr 2015 19:38:27 +0100
parents 2a7d9e3394c8
children 66a32db3d83a
rev   line source
b@1693 1 % -----------------------------------------------
b@1693 2 % Template for SMC 2012
b@1693 3 % adapted from the template for SMC 2011, which was adapted from that of SMC 2010
b@1693 4 % -----------------------------------------------
b@1693 5
b@1693 6 \documentclass{article}
b@1693 7 \usepackage{smc2015}
b@1693 8 \usepackage{times}
b@1693 9 \usepackage{ifpdf}
b@1693 10 \usepackage[english]{babel}
b@1693 11 \usepackage{cite}
b@1996 12 \usepackage{enumitem}
b@1996 13 \setitemize{noitemsep,topsep=0pt,parsep=0pt,partopsep=0pt}
b@1693 14
b@1672 15 \hyphenation{Java-script}
b@1672 16
b@1693 17 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Some useful packages %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
b@1693 18 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% See related documentation %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
b@1693 19 %\usepackage{amsmath} % popular packages from Am. Math. Soc. Please use the
b@1693 20 %\usepackage{amssymb} % related math environments (split, subequation, cases,
b@1693 21 %\usepackage{amsfonts}% multline, etc.)
b@1693 22 %\usepackage{bm} % Bold Math package, defines the command \bf{}
b@1693 23 %\usepackage{paralist}% extended list environments
b@1693 24 %%subfig.sty is the modern replacement for subfigure.sty. However, subfig.sty
b@1693 25 %%requires and automatically loads caption.sty which overrides class handling
b@1693 26 %%of captions. To prevent this problem, preload caption.sty with caption=false
b@1693 27 %\usepackage[caption=false]{caption}
b@1693 28 %\usepackage[font=footnotesize]{subfig}
b@1693 29
b@1693 30
b@1693 31 %user defined variables
b@1669 32 \def\papertitle{WEB AUDIO EVALUATION TOOL: A BROWSER-BASED LISTENING TEST ENVIRONMENT} %?
b@1698 33 \def\firstauthor{Nicholas Jillings}
b@1698 34 \def\secondauthor{Brecht De Man}
b@1693 35 \def\thirdauthor{David Moffat}
b@1693 36 \def\fourthauthor{Joshua D. Reiss}
b@1693 37
b@1693 38 % adds the automatic
b@1693 39 % Saves a lot of ouptut space in PDF... after conversion with the distiller
b@1693 40 % Delete if you cannot get PS fonts working on your system.
b@1693 41
b@1693 42 % pdf-tex settings: detect automatically if run by latex or pdflatex
b@1693 43 \newif\ifpdf
b@1693 44 \ifx\pdfoutput\relax
b@1693 45 \else
b@1693 46 \ifcase\pdfoutput
b@1693 47 \pdffalse
b@1693 48 \else
b@1693 49 \pdftrue
b@1693 50 \fi
b@1693 51
b@1693 52 \ifpdf % compiling with pdflatex
b@1693 53 \usepackage[pdftex,
b@1693 54 pdftitle={\papertitle},
b@1693 55 pdfauthor={\firstauthor, \secondauthor, \thirdauthor},
b@1693 56 bookmarksnumbered, % use section numbers with bookmarks
b@1693 57 pdfstartview=XYZ % start with zoom=100% instead of full screen;
b@1693 58 % especially useful if working with a big screen :-)
b@1693 59 ]{hyperref}
b@1693 60 %\pdfcompresslevel=9
b@1693 61
b@1693 62 \usepackage[pdftex]{graphicx}
b@1693 63 % declare the path(s) where your graphic files are and their extensions so
b@1693 64 %you won't have to specify these with every instance of \includegraphics
b@1693 65 \graphicspath{{./figures/}}
b@1693 66 \DeclareGraphicsExtensions{.pdf,.jpeg,.png}
b@1693 67
b@1693 68 \usepackage[figure,table]{hypcap}
b@1693 69
b@1693 70 \else % compiling with latex
b@1693 71 \usepackage[dvips,
b@1693 72 bookmarksnumbered, % use section numbers with bookmarks
b@1693 73 pdfstartview=XYZ % start with zoom=100% instead of full screen
b@1693 74 ]{hyperref} % hyperrefs are active in the pdf file after conversion
b@1693 75
b@1693 76 \usepackage[dvips]{epsfig,graphicx}
b@1693 77 % declare the path(s) where your graphic files are and their extensions so
b@1693 78 %you won't have to specify these with every instance of \includegraphics
b@1693 79 \graphicspath{{./figures/}}
b@1693 80 \DeclareGraphicsExtensions{.eps}
b@1693 81
b@1693 82 \usepackage[figure,table]{hypcap}
b@1693 83 \fi
b@1693 84
nickjillings@1988 85 %set up the hyperref package - make the links black without a surrounding frame
b@1693 86 \hypersetup{
b@1693 87 colorlinks,%
b@1693 88 citecolor=black,%
b@1693 89 filecolor=black,%
b@1693 90 linkcolor=black,%
b@1693 91 urlcolor=black
b@1693 92 }
b@1693 93
b@1693 94
b@1693 95 % Title.
b@1693 96 % ------
b@1693 97 \title{\papertitle}
b@1693 98
b@1693 99 % Authors
b@1693 100 % Please note that submissions are NOT anonymous, therefore
b@1693 101 % authors' names have to be VISIBLE in your manuscript.
b@1693 102 %
b@1693 103 % Single address
b@1693 104 % To use with only one author or several with the same address
b@1693 105 % ---------------
b@1693 106 %\oneauthor
b@1693 107 % {\firstauthor} {Affiliation1 \\ %
b@1693 108 % {\tt \href{mailto:author1@smcnetwork.org}{author1@smcnetwork.org}}}
b@1693 109
b@1693 110 %Two addresses
b@1693 111 %--------------
b@1693 112 % \twoauthors
b@1693 113 % {\firstauthor} {Affiliation1 \\ %
b@1693 114 % {\tt \href{mailto:author1@smcnetwork.org}{author1@smcnetwork.org}}}
b@1693 115 % {\secondauthor} {Affiliation2 \\ %
b@1693 116 % {\tt \href{mailto:author2@smcnetwork.org}{author2@smcnetwork.org}}}
b@1693 117
b@1698 118
b@1698 119
b@1698 120 % FIX!!!
b@1693 121 \fourauthors
b@1693 122 {\firstauthor} {%Affiliation1 \\
b@1698 123 {\tt \href{mailto:b.deman@qmul.ac.uk}{n.g.r.jillings@se14.qmul.ac.uk, }}}
b@1693 124 {\secondauthor} {%Affiliation2\\ %
b@1698 125 {\tt \href{mailto:n.g.r.jillings@se14.qmul.ac.uk}{\{b.deman,}}}
b@1693 126 {\thirdauthor} {%Affiliation3\\ %
b@1698 127 {\tt \href{mailto:d.j.moffat@qmul.ac.uk}{d.j.moffat, }}}
b@1693 128 {\fourthauthor} {%Affiliation4\\ %
b@1698 129 {\tt \href{mailto:joshua.reiss@qmul.ac.uk}{joshua.reiss\}@qmul.ac.uk}}}
b@1693 130
b@1693 131 % ***************************************** the document starts here ***************
b@1693 132 \begin{document}
b@1693 133 %
b@1693 134 \capstartfalse
b@1693 135 \maketitle
b@1693 136 \capstarttrue
b@1693 137 %
b@1693 138 \begin{abstract}
nickjillings@1991 139 Perceptual evaluation tests for audio, where the subject assesses certain qualities of different audio fragments are an integral part of research evaluation. These evaluation tests require playback of audio and rapid switching between different files. Participants give vast amount of data from comments and ranking through a graphical user interface and/or text boxes.
nickjillings@1991 140 New functionality in HTML5 with the Web Audio API, allows for increasingly powerful media applications in a browser independent environment. In this paper we propose a tool which enables conducting perceptual audio evaluation tests over the web with the ability for multiple test interfaces, custom configuration, metric and interface data collection and other features.
nickjillings@1991 141 The advantage of a web application is easy deployment on any platform, without requiring any other application enabling multiple tests to be easily conducted across locations. Results are gathered automatically using web friendly formats for easy storing of results on a server.
nickjillings@1991 142 % Currently at 150, don't think anything more needs to be done here??
b@1669 143 %Place your abstract at the top left column on the first page.
b@1669 144 %Please write about 150-200 words that specifically highlight the purpose of your work,
b@1669 145 %its context, and provide a brief synopsis of your results.
b@1669 146 %Avoid equations in this part.\\
b@1669 147
b@1693 148 \end{abstract}
b@1977 149
b@1977 150 % TOTAL PAPER: Minimum 4 pages, 6 preferred, max. 8 (6 for demos/posters)\\
b@1693 151
b@1693 152 \section{Introduction}\label{sec:introduction}
b@1693 153
nickjillings@1676 154 %NICK: examples of what kind of audio applications HTML5 has made possible, with references to publications (or website)\\
nickjillings@1676 155
b@1996 156 Perceptual evaluation of audio plays an important role in a wide range of research on audio quality \cite{schoeffler2013impact,repp}, sound synthesis \cite{de2013real,durr2015implementation}, audio effect design \cite{deman2014a}, source separation \cite{mushram,uhlereiss}, music and emotion analysis \cite{song2013b,song2013a}, and many others \cite{friberg2011comparison}. % codec design?
b@1981 157
b@1996 158 %This work is based in part on the APE audio perceptual evaluation interface for MATLAB \cite{deman2014b}. An important drawback of this toolbox is the need to have MATLAB to create a test and even to run (barring the use of an executable generated by MATLAB), and limited compatibility with both earlier and newer versions of MATLAB, which makes it hard to maintain. On the other hand, a web application generally has the advantage of running in most browsers on most applications.
b@1979 159
b@1987 160 % IMPORTANT
b@1987 161 %[TO ADD: other interfaces for perceptual evaluation of audio, browser-based or not!] \\
b@1987 162 %BROWSER-BASED: \cite{song2013b,song2013a,beaqlejs} \\
b@1987 163 %MATLAB: \cite{whisper,mushram,scale}
b@1987 164 % to add: OPAQUE, Rumsey's repertory grid technique
b@1987 165
b@1994 166
b@1994 167 \begin{table}[htdp]
b@1996 168 \caption{Available audio perceptual evaluation tools}
b@1994 169 \begin{center}
b@1994 170 \begin{tabular}{|*{3}{l|}}
b@1994 171 % order?
b@1994 172 \hline
b@1994 173 \textbf{Name} & \textbf{Language} & \textbf{Ref.}\\
b@1994 174 \hline
b@1994 175 APE & MATLAB & \cite{deman2014b} \\
b@1994 176 BeaqleJS & HTML5/JS & \cite{beaqlejs}\\ % ABX, mushra
b@1994 177 %C4DM\footnote{http://isophonics.org/test - collection of listening tests developed by Gy\"{o}rgy Fazekas and Thomas Wilmering at Centre for Digital Music.} & JS & \cite{song2013a,song2013b}\\
b@1994 178 HULTI-GEN & Max & \cite{hulti-gen}\\
b@1994 179 MUSHRAM & MATLAB & \cite{mushram}\\ % type: mushra
b@1994 180 Scale & MATLAB & \cite{scale} \\
b@1994 181 WhisPER & MATLAB & \cite{whisper}\\
b@1994 182 \hline
b@1994 183 \end{tabular}
b@1994 184 \end{center}
b@1994 185 \label{tab:interfaces}
b@1994 186 \end{table}%
b@1994 187
b@1996 188 Various listening test design tools are already available, see Table \ref{tab:interfaces}. A few other listening test tools, such as OPAQUE \cite{opaque} and GuineaPig \cite{guineapig}, are described but not available to the public at the time of writing.
b@1996 189
b@1996 190 Many are MATLAB-based, useful for easily processing and visualising the data produced by the listening tests, but requiring MATLAB to be installed to run or - in the case of an executable created with MATLAB - at least create the test.
b@1996 191 Furthermore, compatibility is usually limited across different versions of MATLAB.
b@1994 192 Similarly, Max requires little or no programming background but it is proprietary software as well, which is especially undesirable when tests need to be deployed at different sites.
b@1994 193 More recently, BeaqleJS \cite{beaqlejs} makes use of the HTML5 audio capabilities and comes with a number of predefined, established test interfaces such as ABX and MUSHRA \cite{mushra}. %
b@1996 194
b@1996 195 A browser-based perceptual evaluation tool for audio has a number of advantages. First of all, it doesn't need any other software than a browser, meaning deployment is very easy and cheap. As such, it can also run on a variety of devices and platforms. The test can be hosted on a central server with subjects all over the world, who can simply go to a webpage. This means that multiple participants can take the test simultaneously, potentially in their usual listening environment if this is beneficial for the test. Naturally, the constraints on the listening environment and other variables still need to be controlled if they are important to the experiment. Depending on the requirements a survey or a variety of tests preceding the experiment could establish whether remote participants and their environments are adequate for the experiment at hand.
b@1996 196
b@1996 197 The Web Audio API is a high-level JavaScript Application Programming Interface (API) designed for real-time processing of audio inside the browser through various processing nodes\footnote{http://webaudio.github.io/web-audio-api/}. Various web sites have used the Web Audio API for creative purposes, such as drum machines and score creation tools\footnote{http://webaudio.github.io/demo-list/},
b@1996 198 others from the list show real-time captured audio processing such as room reverberation tools and a phase vocoder from the system microphone. The BBC Radiophonic Workshop shows effects used on famous TV shows such as Doctor Who, being simulated inside the browser\footnote{http://webaudio.prototyping.bbc.co.uk/}.
b@1996 199 Another example is the BBC R\&D personalised compressor which applies a dynamic range compressor on a radio station that dynamically adjusts the compressor settings to match the listener's environment \cite{mason2015compression}.
b@1996 200
b@1996 201
b@1994 202
b@1987 203 % [How is this one different from all these?] improve
b@1984 204
b@1994 205 % FLEXIBLE (reference (not) appropriate)
b@1996 206 In contrast with the tools listed above, we aim to provide an environment in which a variety of multi-stimulus tests can be designed, with a wide range of configurability, while keeping setup and collecting results as straightforward as possible. For instance, the option to provide free-text comment fields allows for tests with individual vocabulary methods, as opposed to only allowing quantitative scales associated to a fixed set of descriptors.
b@1994 207 % EASE OF USE: no need to go in the code
b@1994 208 To make the tool accessible to a wide range of researchers, we aim to offer maximum functionality even to those with little or no programming background. The tool we present can set up a listening test without reading or adjusting any code, provided no new types of interfaces need to be created.
b@1994 209
b@1996 210 % ENVIRONMENT %In this paper, we provide a listening test back end that allows for easy set up of a wide variety of listening tests, highly flexible yet very simple and not requiring any programming skills.
b@1996 211 Specifically, we present a browser-based perceptual evaluation tool from which any kind of multiple stimulus audio evaluation tool where subjects need to rank, rate, select, or comment on different audio samples can be built.
nickjillings@1988 212 We also include an example of the multiple stimulus user interface included with the APE tool \cite{deman2014b}, which presents the subject with a number of axes on which a number of markers, corresponding to audio samples, can be moved to reflect any subjective quality, as well as corresponding comment boxes.
b@1984 213 However, other graphical user interfaces can be put on top of the engine that we provide with minimal or no modifications. Examples of this are the MUSHRA test \cite{mushra}, single or multiple stimulus evaluation with a two-dimensional interface (such as valence and arousal dimensions), or simple annotation (using free-form text, check boxes, radio buttons or drop-down menus) of one or more audio samples at a time.
b@1996 214 In some cases, such as method of adjustment, where the audio is processed by the user, or AB test, where the interface does not show all audio samples to be evaluated at once \cite{bech}, the back end of the tool needs to be modified as well.
b@1994 215
b@1987 216 In the following sections, we describe the included interface in more detail, discuss the implementation, and cover considerations that were made in the design process of this tool.
b@1698 217
b@1994 218 %\section{Requirements}\label{sec:requirements}
b@1994 219 %???
b@1994 220 %
b@1994 221 %\begin{itemize}
b@1994 222 %\item
b@1994 223 %\end{itemize}
b@1994 224
b@1994 225
b@1981 226 \section{Interface}\label{sec:interface}
b@1698 227
b@1996 228 At this point, we have implemented the interface of the MATLAB-based APE (Audio Perceptual Evaluation) toolbox \cite{deman2014b}. This shows one marker for each simultaneously evaluated audio fragment on one or more horizontal axes, that can be moved to rate or rank the respective fragments in terms of any subjective property, as well as a comment box for every marker, and any extra text boxes for extra comments.
b@1996 229 The reason for such an interface, where all stimuli are presented on a single rating axis (or multiple axes if multiple subjective qualities need to be evaluated), is that it urges the subject to consider the rating and/or ranking of the stimuli relative to one another, as opposed to comparing each individual stimulus to a given reference, as is the case with e.g. a MUSHRA test \cite{mushra}. As such, it is ideal for any type of test where the goal is to carefully compare samples against each other, like perceptual evaluation of different mixes of music recordings \cite{deman2015a} or sound synthesis models \cite{durr2015implementation}, as opposed to comparing results of source separation algorithms \cite{mushram} or audio with lower data rate \cite{mushra} to a high quality reference signal.
b@1996 230 See Figure \ref{fig:interface} for an example of the interface, with eleven fragments and one axis. %? change if a new interface is shown
b@1984 231
b@1996 232 %For instance, the option to provide free-text comment fields allows for tests with individual vocabulary methods, as opposed to only allowing quantitative scales associated to a fixed set of descriptors.
b@1641 233
me@1986 234 \begin{figure*}[ht]
b@1979 235 \begin{center}
nickjillings@1993 236 \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{interface2.png}
nickjillings@1993 237 \caption{Example of interface, with 1 axis, 6 fragments and 1 extra comment in Chrome browser}
b@1979 238 \label{fig:interface}
b@1979 239 \end{center}
b@1979 240 \end{figure*}
me@1986 241
me@1986 242
b@1981 243 \section{Architecture}\label{sec:architecture} % or implementation?
b@1981 244
nickjillings@1991 245 The tool uses entirely client side processing utilizing the new HTML5 Web Audio API, supported by most major web browsers. The API allows for constructing audio processing elements and connecting them together to produce a high quality, real time signal process to manipulate audio streams. The API supports multichannel processing and has an accurate playback timer for precise scheduled playback control. The API is controlled through the browser JavaScript engine and is therefore highly configurable. Processing is all performed in a separate, low latency thread to the main JavaScript thread, so there is no blocking due to real time processing.
nickjillings@1700 246
nickjillings@1700 247 The web tool itself is split into several files to operate:
nickjillings@1700 248 \begin{itemize}
nickjillings@1679 249 \item \texttt{index.html}: The main index file to load the scripts, this is the file the browser must request to load.
nickjillings@1991 250 \item \texttt{core.js}: Contains global functions and object prototypes to define the audio playback engine, audio objects and loading media files
nickjillings@1988 251 \item \texttt{ape.js}: Parses set up files to create the interface as instructed, following the same style chain as the MATLAB APE Tool \cite{deman2014b}.
nickjillings@1700 252 \end{itemize}
nickjillings@1700 253
nickjillings@1991 254 The HTML file loads the \texttt{core.js} file along with a few other ancillary files (such as the jQuery JavaScript extensions\footnote{http://jquery.com/}), at which point the browser JavaScript begins to execute the on-page instructions, which gives the URL of the test set up XML document (outlined in Section \ref{sec:setupresultsformats}). \texttt{core.js} parses this document and executes the functions in \texttt{ape.js} to build the web page. The reason for separating these two files is to allow for further interface designs (such as MUSHRA \cite{mushra} or AB tests \cite{bech}) to be used, which would still require the same underlying core functions outlined in \texttt{core.js}.
nickjillings@1700 255
nickjillings@1992 256 The \texttt{ape.js} file has several main functions but the most important are documented here. \textit{loadInterface(xmlDoc)} is called to decode the supplied project document in respect for the interface specified and define any global structures (such as the slider interface). It also identifies the number of pages in the test and randomises the order, if specified to do so. This is the only madatory function in any of the interface files as this is called by \texttt{core.js} when the document is ready. \texttt{core.js} cannot 'see' any interface specific functions and therefore cannot assume any are available. Therefore the \textit{loadInterface(xmlDoc)} is very important to set up the entire test environment. Because the interface files are loaded by \texttt{core.js} and because the functions in \texttt{core.js} are global, the interface files can `see' the \texttt{core.js} file and can therefore not only interact with it, but also modify it.
b@1984 257
nickjillings@1992 258 Each test page is loaded using \textit{loadTest(id)} which performs two major tasks: to populate the interface with the slider elements and comment boxes; and secondly to instruct the \textit{audioEngine} to load the audio fragments and construct the backend audio graph. \textit{loadTest(id)} also instructs the audio engine in \texttt{core.js} to create the \textit{audioObject} These are custom audio nodes, one representing each audio element specified in each page.
nickjillings@1991 259 They consist of a \textit{bufferSourceNode} (a node which holds a buffer of audio samples for playback) and a \textit{gainNode}, both of which are Web Audio API Nodes. There are various functions applied, depending on which metrics are enabled, to record the interaction with the audio element. These nodes are then connected to the \textit{audioEngine} (itself a custom web audio node) containing a \textit{gainNode} (where the various \textit{audioObject} connect to) for summation before passing the output to the \textit{destinationNode}, a permanent node of the Web Audio API created as the master output where the browser then passes the audio information to the system sound device. % Does this now make sense?
nickjillings@1679 260 % audio object/audioObject/Audio Object: -- should always be audioObject if talking about the JavaScript object, otherwise should say audio element or audio fragment.
b@1984 261
nickjillings@1679 262 When an \textit{audioObject} is created, it is given the URL of the audio sample to load. This is downloaded into the browser asynchronously using the \textit{XMLHttpRequest} object. This downloads any file into the JavaScript environment for further processing which is particularly useful for the Web Audio API because it supports downloading of files in their binary form for decoding. Once downloaded the file is decoded using the Web Audio API offline decoder. This uses the browser available decoding schemes to decode the audio files into raw float32 arrays, which are in turn passed to the relevant \textit{audioObject} for playback.
nickjillings@1679 263
nickjillings@1679 264 Once each page of the test is completed, identified by pressing the Submit button, the \textit{pageXMLSave(testId)} is called to store all of the collected data until all pages of the test are completed. After the final test and any post-test questions are completed, the \textit{interfaceXMLSave()} function is called. This function generates the final XML file for submission as outlined in Section \ref{sec:setupresultsformats}.
nickjillings@1679 265
nickjillings@1992 266 Most of these functions are specific to the APE interface design, for instance the AB test will need a different structure for the audio engine and loading of files, since multiple instances of the same file are required. There are some areas of the design where certain design choices had to be made such as with the markers. The markers on the slider at the top of the page are positioned randomly, to minimise the bias that may be introduced when the initial positions are near the beginning, end or middle of the slider. Another approach is to place the markers outside of the slider bar at first and have the subject drag them in, but the authors believe this doesn't encourage careful consideration and comparison of the different fragments as the implicit goal of the test becomes to audition and drag each fragment in just once, rather than to compare all fragments rigorously.
nickjillings@1992 267
b@1990 268 Browsers support various audio file formats and are not consistent in any format. Currently the Web Audio API is best supported in Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Safari. All of these support the use of the uncompressed WAV format. Although not a compact, web friendly format, most transport systems are of a high enough bandwidth this should not be a problem. Ogg Vorbis is another well supported format across the 4 supported major desktop browsers, as well as MP3 (although Firefox may not support all MP3 types) \footnote{https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/\\Supported\_media\_formats}. %https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Supported_media_formats
nickjillings@1679 269 One issue of the Web Audio API is that the sample rate is assigned by the system sound device, rather than requested and does not have the ability to request a different one. % Does this make sense? The problem is across all audio files.
nickjillings@1988 270 Therefore, the default operation when an audio file is loaded with a different sample rate to that of the system is to convert the sample rate. To provide a check for this, the desired sample rate can be supplied with the set up XML and checked against. If the sample rates do not match, a browser alert window is shown asking for the sample rate to be correctly adjusted.
nickjillings@1991 271 This happens before any loading or decoding of audio files so the browser will only be instructed to fetch files if the system sample rate meets the requirements, avoiding multiple requests for large files until they are actually needed.
b@1984 272
b@1984 273 %During playback, the playback nodes loop indefinitely until playback is stopped. The gain nodes in the \textit{audioObject}s enable dynamic muting of nodes. When a bar in the sliding ranking is clicked, the audio engine mutes all \textit{audioObject}s and un-mutes the clicked one. Therefore, if the audio samples are perfectly aligned up and of the same sample length, they will remain perfectly aligned with each other.
b@1984 274 % Don't think this is relevant anymore
b@1984 275
b@1987 276 \section{Input and result files}\label{sec:setupresultsformats}
b@1984 277
nickjillings@1991 278 The set up and result files both use the common XML document format to outline the various parameters. The set up file determines which interface to use, the location of audio files, how many pages and other parameters to define the testing environment. Having one document to modify allows for quick manipulation in a `human readable' form to create new tests, or adjust current ones, without needing to edit multiple web files. An example of this XML document is presented in Figure~\ref{fig:xmlIn}% I mean the .js and .html files, though not sure if any better.
b@1984 279
b@1990 280 \subsection{Set up and configurability}
b@1984 281
me@1986 282 \begin{figure}[ht]
me@1986 283 \begin{center}
me@1986 284 \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{XMLInput.png}
me@1986 285 \caption{An Example Input XML File}
me@1986 286 \label{fig:xmlIn}
me@1986 287 \end{center}
me@1986 288 \end{figure}
b@1984 289
nickjillings@1991 290 The set up document has several defined nodes and structure which are documented with the source code. For example there is a section for general set up options where any pre-test and post-test questions and statements can be defined. Pre- and post-test dialogue boxes allow for comments or questions to be presented before or after the test, to convey listening test instructions, gather information about the subject, listening environment, and overall experience of the test. From the example in Figure~\ref{fig:xmlIn}, it can be seen that a question box should be generated, with the id 'location' and it is mandatory to answer. The question is in the PreTest node meaning it will appear before any testing will begin. When the result for the entire test is shown, the response will appear in the PreTest node with the id 'location' allowing it to be found easily. This outlines the importance of having clear and meaningful ID values.
b@1984 291
b@1984 292
b@1987 293 We try to cater to a diverse audience with this toolbox, while ensuring the toolbox is simple, elegant and straightforward. To that end, we include the following options that can be easily switched on and off, by setting the value in the input XML file.
b@1984 294
me@1986 295 \begin{itemize} %Should have used a description list for this.
b@1984 296 \item \textbf{Snap to corresponding position}: When this is enabled, and a fragment is playing, the playhead skips to the same position in the next fragment that is clicked. If it is not enabled, every fragment is played from the start.
b@1984 297 \item \textbf{Loop fragments}: Repeat current fragment when end is reached, until the `Stop audio' or `Submit' button is clicked.
b@1984 298 \item \textbf{Comments}: Displays a separate comment box for each fragment in the page.
b@1984 299 \item \textbf{General comment}: One comment box, additional to the individual comment boxes, to comment on the test or a feature that some or all of the fragments share.
b@1984 300 \item \textbf{Resampling}: When this is enabled, tracks are resampled to match the subject's system's sample rate (a default feature of the Web Audio API). When it is not, an error is shown when the system does not match the requested sample rate.
b@1984 301 \item \textbf{Randomise page order}: Randomises the order in which different `pages' are presented. % are we calling this 'pages'?
b@1984 302 \item \textbf{Randomise fragment order}: Randomises the order and numbering of the markers and comment boxes corresponding with the fragments. This permutation is stored as well, to be able to interpret references to the numbers in the comments (such as `this is much [brighter] then 4').
b@1984 303 \item \textbf{Require playback}: Require that each fragment has been played at least once, if not in full.
b@1984 304 \item \textbf{Require full playback}: If `Require playback' is active, require that each fragment has been played in full.
b@1984 305 \item \textbf{Require moving}: Require that each marker is moved (dragged) at least once.
b@1984 306 \item \textbf{Require comments}: This option allows requiring the subject to require a comment for each track.
nickjillings@1988 307 \item \textbf{Repeat test}: Number of times test should be repeated (none by default), to allow familiarisation with the content and experiment, and to investigate consistency of user and variability due to familiarity. In the set up, each 'page' can be given a repeat count. These are all gathered before shuffling the order so repeated tests are not back-to-back if possible.
b@1984 308 \item \textbf{Returning to previous pages}: Indicates whether it is possible to go back to a previous `page' in the test.
b@1984 309 \item \textbf{Lowest rating below [value]}: To enforce a certain use of the rating scale, it can be required to rate at least one sample below a specified value.
b@1984 310 \item \textbf{Highest rating above [value]}: To enforce a certain use of the rating scale, it can be required to rate at least one sample above a specified value.
b@1984 311 \item \textbf{Reference}: Allows for a separate sample (outside of the axis) to be the `reference', which the subject can play back during the test to help with the task at hand \cite{mushra}.
b@1984 312 \item \textbf{Hidden reference}: Whether or not an explicit `reference' is provided, the `hidden reference' should be rated above a certain value \cite{mushra} - this can be enforced.
b@1984 313 \item \textbf{Hidden anchor}: The `hidden anchor' should be rated lower than a certain value \cite{mushra} - this can be enforced.
b@1994 314 \item \textbf{Show scrub bar}: Display a playhead on a scrub bar to show the position in the current fragment.
b@1994 315 \item \textbf{Drag playhead}: If scrub bar is visible, allow dragging to move back or forward in a fragment.
b@1984 316 \end{itemize}
b@1984 317
nickjillings@1988 318 When one of these options is not included in the set up file, they assume a default value. As a result, the input file can be kept very compact if default values suffice for the test.
b@1984 319
b@1984 320 % loop, snap to corresponding position, comments, 'general' comment, require same sampling rate, different types of randomisation
b@1984 321
b@1987 322 \subsection{Results}
b@1987 323
nickjillings@1988 324 The results file is dynamically generated by the interface upon clicking the `Submit' button. This also executes checks, depending on the set up file, to ensure that all tracks have been played back, rated and commented on. The XML output returned contains a node per audioObject and contains both the corresponding marker's position and any comments written in the associated comment box. The rating returned is normalised to be a value between 0 and 1, normalising the pixel representation of different browser windows. An example output file is presented in Figure~\ref{fig:xmlOut}
me@1986 325
me@1986 326 \begin{figure}[ht]
me@1986 327 \begin{center}
me@1986 328 \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{XMLOutput.png}
me@1986 329 \caption{An Example Output XML File}
me@1986 330 \label{fig:xmlOut}
me@1986 331 \end{center}
me@1986 332 \end{figure}
b@1984 333
nickjillings@1991 334 The results also contain information collected by any defined pre/post questions. These are referenced against the set up XML by using the same ID so readable responses can be obtained. Taking from the earlier example of setting up a pre-test question, an example response can be seen in Figure \ref{fig:xmlOut}.
b@1984 335
nickjillings@1991 336 Each page of testing is returned with the results of the entire page included in the structure. One `audioElement' node is created per audio fragment per page, along with its ID. This includes several child nodes including the rating between 0 and 1, the comment, and any other collected metrics including how long the element was listened for, the initial position, boolean flags if the element was listened to, if the element was moved and if the element comment box had any comment. Furthermore, each user action (manipulation of any interface element, such as playback or moving a marker) can be logged along with a the corresponding time code.
b@1987 337 Furthermore, we also store session data such as the browser the tool was used in.
b@1984 338
b@1987 339 We provide the option to store the results locally, and/or to have them sent to a server.
b@1984 340
nickjillings@1988 341 %Here is an example of the set up XML and the results XML: % perhaps best to refer to each XML after each section (set up <> results)
b@1984 342 % Should we include an Example of the input and output XML structure?? --> Sure.
b@1984 343
me@1986 344 %An example of the returned \textit{audioElement} node in the results XML file is as follows.
me@1986 345 %
me@1986 346 %\texttt{<audioelement id="8"> \\
me@1986 347 %<comment> \\
me@1986 348 %<question>Comment on track 0</question> \\
me@1986 349 %<response> The drums were punchy </response> \\
me@1986 350 %</comment> \\
me@1986 351 %<value> 0.25169491525423726 </value> \\
me@1986 352 %<metric> \\
me@1986 353 %<metricresult id="elementTimer"> \\ 2.3278004535147385< /metricresult> \\
me@1986 354 %<metricresult id="elementTrackerFull"> \\
me@1986 355 %<timepos id="0"> \\
me@1986 356 %<time>1.7937414965986385</time> \\
me@1986 357 %<position>0.41694915254237286</position> \\
me@1986 358 %</timepos> \\
me@1986 359 %<timepos id="1"> \\
me@1986 360 %<time>2.6993197278911563</time> \\
me@1986 361 %<position>0.45847457627118643</position> \\
me@1986 362 %</timepos> \\</metricresult> \\
me@1986 363 %<metricresult id="elementInitialPosition"> 0.47796610169491527 </metricresult> \\
me@1986 364 %<metricresult id="elementFlagListenedTo"> true< /metricresult> \\
me@1986 365 %<metricresult id="elementFlagMoved"> true </metricresult> \\
me@1986 366 %</metric> \\
me@1986 367 %</audioelement>}
b@1984 368
nickjillings@1991 369 The parent tag \texttt{audioelement} holds the ID of the element passed in from the set up document. The first child element is \texttt{comment} and holds both the question shown and the response from the comment box inside.
nickjillings@1992 370 The child element \texttt{value} holds the normalised ranking value. Next comes the metric node structure, there is one metric result node per metric event collected. The id of the node identifies the type of data it contains. For example, the first holds the id \textit{elementTimer} and the data contained represents how long, in seconds, the audio element was listened to. There is one \texttt{audioelement} tag per audio element on each test page.
b@1984 371
b@1987 372
b@1984 373 \section{Conclusions and future work}\label{sec:conclusions}
b@1984 374
b@1984 375 In this paper we have presented an approach to creating a browser-based listening test environment that can be used for a variety of types of perceptual evaluation of audio.
b@1984 376 Specifically, we discussed the use of the toolbox in the context of assessment of preference for different production practices, with identical source material.
nickjillings@1992 377 The purpose of this paper is to outline the design of this tool, to describe our implementation using basic HTML5 functionality, and to discuss design challenges and limitations of our approach. This tool differentiates itself from other perceptual audio tools by enabling web technologies for multiple participants to perform the test without the need for proprietary software such as MATLAB. The tool also allows for any interface to be built using HTML5 elements to create dynamic interfaces built either on current evaluation techniques or newer techniques. It enables quick set up of simple tests with the ability to manage complex tests through a single file. And finally it uses the XML document format to store the results allowing for processing and analysis of results in various third party software such as MATLAB or Python.
b@1984 378
b@1984 379 % future work
b@1987 380 Further work may include the development of other common test designs, such as MUSHRA \cite{mushra}, 2D valence and arousal rating, and others. We will add functionality to assist with setting up large-scale tests with remote subjects, so this becomes straightforward and intuitive.
b@1987 381 In addition, we will keep on improving and expanding the tool, and highly welcome feedback and contributions from the community.
b@1984 382
b@1996 383 The source code of this tool can be found on \\ \texttt{code.soundsoftware.ac.uk/projects/}\\ \texttt{webaudioevaluationtool}.
b@1984 384
b@1984 385
b@1984 386 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
b@1984 387 %bibliography here
b@1984 388 \bibliography{smc2015template}
b@1984 389
b@1984 390 \end{document}